Fitz-Enz, a 30-year army veteran, earned the Soldier’s Medal for Heroism, the Bronze Star for Valor with four oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal, and three-leaf Legion of Merit honor.

On Saturday, July 31 from 1-3pm, Fitz-Enz will sign copies of his books: “Why a Soldier,” “The Final Invasion,” “Old Ironsides,” and “Redcoats’ Revenge” at the Great Lakes Seaway Trail Discovery Center overlooking the Sackets Harbor village waterfront.

“The Great Lakes Seaway Trail history programs take audiences young and old from today’s lovely waterfront village of Sackets Harbor back to its time as headquarters for the American Great Lakes fleet and several thousand soldiers and sailors preparing to fight invading forces,” Fitz-Enz says.

“Traveling the Great Lakes Seaway Trail offers an authentic modern-day experience of the War of 1812 on this America’s Byway noted for its significance to the national history of the United States,” Fitz-Enz adds.

Much of the War of 1812’s outcome was decided along the freshwater shoreline of New York and Pennsylvania. The 518-mile Great Lakes Seaway Trail is a signed series of roads along the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, Niagara River and Lake Erie. Learn more about at www.seawaytrail.com.

The $5 fee for the July 30 evening program at the Great Lakes Seaway Trail Discovery Center benefits the educational programming mission of the Seaway Trail Foundation. For more information and seating reservations, call 315-646-1000.

Pictured is Madison Barracks at Sackets Harbor.

(Sackets Harbor, NY) On Saturday July 31 local high school and middle school age youth will have the opportunity to experience and write about one of the most dramatic naval attacks on American soil at Sackets Harbor with the help of one of the leading historians of the War of 1812.

The event, “Youth Protecting the Home Front in the War of 1812” takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Student program begins at Seaway Trail Discovery Center with Author, Colonel David Fitz-Enz. Fitz-Enz is the author of “Why a Solider, the Final Invasion and Redcoats Revenge.”

One of the most significant battles in that war occurred in Sackets Harbor, then, the pivotal headquarters for the US’s Great Lakes Naval Fleet.  Long forgotten to most Americans, the invasion  ranks alongside  the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor as being one of the most dramatic attacks on America’ soil by a foreign powers in nation’s history. The writing workshop will be held at the very site of that fateful battle.

Only 14 seats are available for the free workshop, so email tuleonard@msn.com to make your reservation.

Questions can be directed to: Great Lakes Seaway Trail, 401 West Main, Sackets Harbor, NY.  315-646-1000. A broad range of Information about the Battle of Sackets Harbor writing workshop can be found on the History Mysteries section of the Great Lakes Young Writers Website www.greatlakesyoungwriters.net.

Sponsored by Care Net of NNY

~To remember our precious little ones who left us too soon due to prematurity, stillbirth, miscarriage, abortion and illness~

Date:  Saturday, July 18, 2009

Where:  Sackets Harbor, NY

(the corner of Main St. and Ambrose lawn)

Registration: 8:30-9:00am

Opening Ceremony: 9:00 am

*Please bring a story, memory, poem, etc. to share about your precious little one if you wish!  Everyone is welcome!

Pledge Form

We will be collecting funds at the walk to help raise money for an ultrasound to be used at the pregnancy center.  This ultrasound machine will give pregnant women who may otherwise not receive an ultrasound the ability to see the tiny life inside them in order to make informed decisions about their child’s future. Donations will be collected during registration at 8:30 am.

Please contact Erin at 315-646-3528 for a pledge form or if you have any questions.